Guwahati, April 5: Over 300 Congress workers, including top leaders of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), were detained in Guwahati on Saturday while protesting against alleged large-scale corruption and financial mismanagement at the Assam State Cooperative Apex Bank. The protest, which began near the BSNL office, was heading toward the Apex Bank headquarters in Panbazar when police intervened and took demonstrators into custody.
Among the prominent Congress figures detained were APCC working president Jakir Hussain Sikdar, vice president Balika Lahan Pegu, general secretary Bipul Gogoi, and Mahila Congress president Meera Barthakur Goswami, along with Youth Congress leaders, Seva Dal members, and several grassroots workers. The protesters were later released on PR bonds from Sachal Dharna Ground.
Clashes reportedly broke out as police tried to disperse the crowd, with several Congress workers sustaining injuries during the scuffle.
Protesters raised slogans accusing the BJP-led state government of actively shielding Apex Bank officials accused of financial irregularities. They demanded a high-level, independent investigation into the bank’s operations, particularly its IT and infrastructure contracts.
Serious allegations have emerged that since June 2024, the bank has been operating without a formal contract with any IT vendor, raising security concerns. The cost of IT infrastructure reportedly ballooned from ₹28 crore in 2018 to ₹50 crore in 2025, with ₹14 crore allegedly diverted to KPMG under suspicious arrangements.
A complaint had already been filed with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on January 30, but protestors accused the state government of dragging its feet. Though the Cooperation Department issued a directive on March 3 asking for an inquiry report within 15 days, the opposition dismissed the move as a whitewash.
“This is not just about numbers—it’s about trust. The savings of thousands of people are now in question, and yet the government sits silent,” said senior Congress leader Chandrapal Baruah. “We demand immediate accountability. If not, this protest is only the beginning.”
With the Assam State Cooperative Apex Bank playing a key role in rural banking and cooperative finance, the alleged scandal has triggered alarm among account holders and civil society organizations. Congress leaders warned that they would launch statewide agitations if swift, transparent action is not taken.
